Tea Party Patriots are hoping their voices are heard in Washington after hundreds of gatherings across the nation, including two in Montgomery County, protesting the government’s spending and overtaxing.

The Woodlands Tax Day Tea Party attracted thousands of patriots - EMS estimated up to 4,000 an hour into the four-hour rally - while the Tea Party on the Montgomery County Courthouse steps drew in nearly 400, according to a police officer there.

“I’m angry and fed up with our government and that’s all encompassing,” Jennifer Bradshaw, of Spring, said as she held a more than six-foot sign. “It’s not a left or right or a red or blue thing. It’s red, white and blue.”

Her sign read “Taxed enough already. Politicians are responsible to you” on one side and “All evil (& stupidity) needs to take hold is for good men (& women) to do nothing - Remember the Alamo” on the other side.

“We the people,” Bradshaw said. “Those are three powerful words.”

Her husband, Kurt Feike, said the government is rewarding failure.

“I’m just plain sick and tired of seeing our money wasted on programs that don’t work,” he said.

As thousands sat at Rob Fleming Park listening to a lineup of speakers, more were sitting in miles of traffic trying to get to the event. Cars lined Gosling Road past Woodlands Parkway for hours as law enforcement and event staff directed drivers to the event and to designated parking areas.

“I hope somebody listens,” said Judy Traylor, of Magnolia. “I want my elected officials to do what they were elected to do, which is to protect the people and uphold the Constitution. We need to act like Americans.”

Her husband, John Traylor, said he hoped the outcome of the nationwide, grassroots rally would lower property taxes.

“I feel like I don’t have any control over anything,” he said. “You save your whole life to pay your house off and then you end up renting it from the government.”

The Conroe event started the night off with U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, speaking in support of his constituents gathered at the courthouse.

“I truly believe in Noah’s principle,” Brady said. “We have plenty of people telling us it’s raining. We need someone to pick up a hammer and start building the ark and today we have people to pick up the hammer. … I think part of the challenge is not only to get the attention of the government, but to educate the young people.”

With pig balloons floating above the crowd to represent the “pork” in the government’s spending, attendees held their signs up higher and higher as organizer Jonathan VanEaton read aloud the messages written on the homemade signs.

“This is our day to shine,” he said. “This is our moment when our voice can be heard.”

Signs at the Conroe event read “Stop spending my future,” “Vote the greedy blood suckers out of office,” “Give me liberty, not debt” and “Socialized medicine will make you sick.”

The courthouse gathering was organized by a group of citizens “with like-minded ideals,” VanEaton said, adding the group did not have a formal name.

Momentum for the event grew out of word of mouth, which is how Janis Frank, of Willis, heard about it.

“I came to show the government we need to have some change, the right kind of change,” she said.

Many participants were worried how today’s government would impact younger generations.

“We don’t want our children to grow up not being able to pay our country’s debt,” said LaDawn Wilson, of Willis, as her children stood beside her.

With tea bags dangling from his hat, Phill Cady, of Conroe, was constantly stopped by people asking for a photograph. His idea for the hat came about because he didn’t have anything to make a sign with, he said.

“I had a whole box of tea and I like wearing big hats, so I decided to attach all the tea bags to my hat,” Cady said. “I’m really fed up with the spending of Congress. They’re spending money on ridiculous items. … I don’t understand how the money is being spent.”

As people were still walking into The Woodlands tea party, an organizer said next year he hopes the crowd will double in size, after calling out “Welcome to the new America.”

Organizers of the Conroe event are planning another rally in the coming weeks. A Freedom Rally is scheduled for 3-7 p.m. April 25 at Heritage Park, located at 500 Collins St. in Conroe. For more information, visit www.wethepeopleoftexas.org.